Rubber boot or shoe



d Apr. 18

Patente W. CABLE. RUBBER BOOTfR-SHUB.

N. PETERS, Phamuchognphnr. wamingwn, D4 C.

UNITED rSTATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

`WHEELER CABLE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

RUBBER BOOT OR SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming 13a-.rt 0f Letters Patent NO. 256,544, dated April 18, 1882,

Application filed November 10, 1879,

To all whom it may concern Be it knownthat I, WHEELER CABLE, ofl

specification, and illustrated in the accompa nying drawings.

vMy invention relates to the formation ofthe sole and tap-sole of a rubber boot or shoe, and to the process herein described of constructing such articles.

My invention consists primarily in arubber boot or shoe provided with a tap-sole of pecul liar construction, growing gradually thinner in the shank part, and terminating near the heel. I

It also consists nv a rubberboot or shoe having a tap-sole formed integrally and simultaneously with the sole from homogeneous stock by passing the plastic compound between a smooth roller and'a roller engraved or formed with depressions to correspond with the configuration desired in the tapsoles, said sole and tap being cut from the sheet of stock, with a marginLas described,V which is turned up into contact with the upper, and all united by vulcanization.

It also consists in the improved process of making a rubber boot or shoe in which such combined sole and tapsole are employed.

I make no present claim to the machine, or any of its parts by which myimproved tap and sole are or may be produced. Such mechanism (original with me) will constitute the subject of another application for Letters Patent.

In the manufacture of rubber boots or shoes it has heretofore been common to shape the uppers while in an unvulcanized state over a last or form, apply thereto a suitably-cemented plastic sole, and subsequently cement thereon the heel and the outer or tap sole, which is usually cut from a sheet of rubber compound of uniform thickness and character of surface, the whole being afterward vulcanized. Immense losses result from this mode of applying the tap-sole separately over the sole proper, on account of blisters caused by the presence of air between the two when vulcanized. Such blisters, if large, render the boot unsalable and vaiueless; and if small, make it imperfect and unse-rviceable, because, if worn, the vtap will speedily part from the sole and upper, and render the boot worthless. In either case the material and labor are thrown away. Millions of dollars are lost annually from this adjoining the shank. To obviate this one manufacturer extends the tap about half-way back tothe heel, its rear part cut' from each side diagonally, and terminating in a diamondlike point in order to distribute the strain somewhat. Another party carries this idea still further, and extends the slender point of the tap far enough to the rear to be covered by the heel when applied, and thereby held to the sole. In either case the sole and tap are made separately and applied successively-the latter after and upon the formerunited by cement and by subsequent vulcanization.

By my invention the sole and tap-sole-are formed integrally and simultaneously by a rolling action, whereby the dies or depressions in the engraved roller determine the outlines and wearing-surfaces of the tapsoles. Consequently there is saved in this manufacture the separate cutting out of the tap-sole and the cementing of the same to the sole of the partially-formed shoe or boot, as well as the use of the calender in separately preparing the stock for the tap-soles. I also avoid the watehfulness and care required under the old process in order to apply the cemented sole and tap to each other at the moment when the cement is'iu just the condition to unite them most perfectly. A Displacement of the tap upon the sole and the presence of blisters orl iiaws' between them are rendered absolutelyimpossible by my improvement, which thus perfects and cheapeus this class of merchandise and IOO enables me to give an ornamental border to the tap. The extension of the tap along the shank and its gradual thinning rearwardly to the heel give greater durability and a better finish than can otherwise be obtained.

In the drawings, Figure l represents the sole and tap-sole of arubber boot or shoe with parts of others and a portion of the sheet of rubber compound, of which' they form part under my invention, said sheetissuing continuously from the machine, of which the engraved roller is a part. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of a sole and tap-sole cut from such sheet.

The position ofthe heel and theproper line for cutting the sole from the sheet are indicated by dotted lines.

A represents the sole, and B the. tap-sole formed integral therewith. U is the projecting edge of the sole or a part of the sheet D from which it is to be cut along the dotted line E, so as to be turned up and cemented with the rest of the sole to the upper, both being of rubber compound in the raw or unvulcauized state, and adapted to unite readily and permanently under the heat of vulcauizin g. The distance between the tivo forming and pressing rollers determines the thickness of the sheet D and sole A, and the thickness of the tap in its various parts depends on the depth of the depression in the engraved roller.

The surface of the tap B may be pcbbled or ornalnented in any manner desired by giving a corresponding form to the die in the roller, which reproduces its like with every revolution. An imitation stitch may thus be represented around the edges of the tap, or lines running parallel with the edge may be formed to give a finish and a characteristic effect to this tap unlike that obtained by cutting the tap from a sheet of uniformly pebbled or of plain ordinary stock.

Another peculiarity of my invention is the gradual thinning of the tap as it extends backward along the shank to, or nearly to, the heel. For many purposes it is advantageous to have a medium thickness of tap along the shank in addition to the sole proper. It is also desirable that the tap shall terminate at the heel, so that the foundation of the heel may be a plane, so as to tit the horizontal face of the heel applied thereon. rlhe best results are therefore gained by gradually reducing the thickness of the tap along the shank and causing it to disappear at the'base of the heel. Fortunately this tapering is exactly adapted to the capabilities ofthe machine and the peculiarities of the material. I am enabled to give a perfect finish to both edges and each end of this tap-sole by causing the sheet to emerge from between the rollers in the direction indicated by the arrow, Fig. l-that is,

with the toe of the soles first. .lhe plastic compound will completely fill the angles at the front and sides of the tap, but would not fill and nish the rear edge perfectly, but would leave it rough and ragged were it angles and thickness the same as in front. By thinning rearwardly and finally merging it in the sole, as in Fig. 2, the tap comes from the die complete and perfect every time as an integral part of the sole and connecting sheet. My improved tap and sole may therefore be more rapidly and more perfectly formed by a rolling action than could the ordinary tap alone.

In making rubber boots and shoes by my invention or process the entire upper part above the sole is lasted or shaped up on a form as heretofore, then the combined sole and tap, together with the margin G cut from the sheet D, is cemented and applied in its proper position beneath the upper part, the heel similarly secured, andthe whole placed in the heater and vulcanized.

I am aware of the patent to McBurney for india-rubber soles, dated April 5, 1859, reissued December 8, 1863, showing a combined sole, tap-sole, and heel formed and vulcanized together in a mold, with holes through the sole, tap-sole, and heel for sewing, pegging, or nailing to the upper-leather of a boot or shoe. Said patent contains no part of my invention, since the tap-sole does not taper rearwardly along the shank to the heel, the perforated sole, heel, and tap could not be formed by rollers, as herein described, and are not united by vulcanization to the uppers of rubber boots or shoes.

I claim as of inyinvention- 1. A rubber boot or shoe provided with a tap sole formed in one with the sole, and constructed as herein described, extending backward about to the heel, gradually decreasing in thickness along the shank, and disappearing or becoming merged in the sole at or near the heel, substantially as set forth.

2. The improved process herein described of making rubber boots or shoes, said process consisting in shaping the upper over a last or form, rolling the integral sole and tap-sole as part of a continuous sheet of homogeneous rubber compound, cutting such combined sole and tap from said sheet with a thin projecting margin along the edges, turning up such margin, and cementing it with the integral sole and tap to the upper, subsequently applying the heel, and finally vulcanizing the Whole, substantially as set forth.

WHEELER CABLE.

Witnesses:

A. H. SPENCER, SILAS POOLE.

IOO

IIO

IIS 

